William's Song a Day Blog - est. September 2007

From: Dream Theater ; Year: 2013; Genre: Progressive Metal I guess we're closing out another month; to me it seems like it just began, it went by quick. Anyway, after Max informed me the other day about this new album from Dream Theater I thought I would check it out. I find it interesting that it took almost 30 years (or about 25 if you only count their albums) to have a self-titled album. This is one of the first tracks I heard off of Dream Theater's self-titled album, it's a pretty good song, and very much of what you'd expect from the band. Hear The Looking Glass on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Deep Purple - Hush My song pick two years ago today: Paris - Big Towne, 2061 My song pick three years ago today: Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You My song pick four years ago today: Alan Menken and Howard Ashman - Feed Me (Git It) (From: Little Shop of Horrors ) My song pick five years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR...

From: Arrival ; Year: 1976; Genre: Pop/Rock It's funny, but in all actuality this song should truly suck across the board, but the way Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and company arranged it made this track about a girlfriend's jealousy of her boyfriend's violin actually pretty good. Hear Dum Dum Diddle on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Gilbert and Sullivan - Major-General's Song My song pick two years ago today: Rush - Presto My song pick three years ago today: Nirvana - Drain You My song pick four years ago today: Amon Amarth - The Pursuit of Vikings My song pick five years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Effigy My song pick six years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Threshold/Jet Airliner

From: Aqualung ; Year: 1971; Genre: Progressive Rock I've been wracking my brain this morning for a song, but I'm drawing a blank. So, I am picking this short one-and-a-half minute tracks from one of my favourite bands. This is another one of those songs that is rather light musically, but heavy lyrically. From what I understand it was autobiographical about a trip Ian Anderson took to the hospital to visit his ailing father. Hear Cheap Day Return on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Soundgarden - Black Rain My song pick two years ago today: Chickenfoot - Lighten Up My song pick three years ago today: Aerosmith - Dream On My song pick four years ago today: Rush - One Little Victory My song pick five years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Fortunate Son My song pick six years ago today: Franz Schubert - Op. 1 - Der Erlkönig " The ErlKing "

From: Stand! ; Year: 1969; Genre: Funk/Soul I though I would do two Funky Friday picks back-to-back, and I felt like listening to some Sly and the Family Stone anyway. As with the majority of their work, it's really difficult to be in a bad mood whilst listening to their music. Hear I Want to Take You Higher on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Argent - Tragedy My song pick two years ago today: Weather Report - Barbary Coast My song pick three years ago today: Molly Hatchet - Gator Country My song pick four years ago today: The Beatles - I Me Mine My song pick five years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Up Around The Bend My song pick six years ago today: Rammstein - Du Riechst So Gut

From: One Nation Underground ; Year: 1967; Genre: Folk Rock/Psychedelic Rock It's weird, but last night I dreamed I was listening to Pearls Before Swine, however I cannot remember which song that was in my dream. Anyway I thought it would be a good idea to go ahead and pick one of their songs this morning. This is a rather light and mellow song musically with only Tom Rapp singing and playing guitar, however the lyrics are quite heavy and the track itself has a dark and brooding feeling about it. Hear Another Time on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Sir Arthur Sullivan - The Lost Chord My song pick two years ago today: Jimi Hendrix - Machine Gun My song pick three years ago today: Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli (Quintette du Hot Club de France) featuring Freddy Taylor - After You've Gone My song pick four years ago today: The Beatles - Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) My song pick five years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival...

From: It's So Easy (single) ; Year: 1958; Genre: Rock 'N Roll Here is another song I have had on my mind for a bit now, so I thought I would make it today's post. Despite the fact that this song was an non-charting single at the time, it has become a major part of musical history along with the rest of the music Buddy Holly wrote. Hear It's So Easy on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Johnny Cash - My Grandfather's Clock My song pick two years ago today: Ralfe Band - 1500 Years My song pick three years ago today: Jerry Reed - The Telephone My song pick four years ago today: The Beatles - Penny Lane My song pick five years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Green River My song pick six years ago today: Rush - A Passage To Bangkok

From: The Yes Album ; Year: 1971; Genre: Progressive Rock I needed to hear something from Yes this morning; of course this is one of their best albums. At a little under nine minutes in length, this is the third shortest of the six songs included on The Yes Album . As with the rest of the album this track features incredible work from all the members, but Chris Squire and Steve Howe especially shine with the bass and guitar on this song; of course the harmonies are incredible as ever. Hear Perpetual Change on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Mephistopheles My song pick two years ago today: The Gentrys - Keep On Dancing My song pick three years ago today: Azteca - A Night in Nazca My song pick four years ago today: The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band/With a Little Help from My Friends My song pick five years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Midnight Special My song pick six years ago today: M...

From: Counterparts ; Year: 1993; Genre: Progressive Rock Nobody's Hero was the first song I ever heard from Rush's Counterparts album; I have to say it's probably still my favourite on the record. This is one of their songs in particular that just "speaks" to you on many levels; a totally cool track. Watch the music video clip on YouTube. Watch a live performance circa '94 on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Waylander - Echoes of the Sidhe My song pick two years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Macho City My song pick three years ago today: Bad English - When I See You Smile My song pick four years ago today: The Beatles - Love Me Do My song pick five years ago today: Mr. Big - Green-Tinted Sixties Mind My song pick six years ago today: ABBA - Our Last Summer

From: The Gypsies ; Year: 1976; Genre: Flamenco Rock/Progressive Rock I've been playing this album a lot over the last couple of days and though I would pick another. This is, of course, the title track from Carmen's final album and is also the longest song at just over 7 and 1/2 minutes. It's a definite treat for the lover of eclectic, avant-garde, and progressive music. Hear The Gypsies on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rosanne Cash - Seven Year Ache My song pick two years ago today: R.E.M. - The One I Love My song pick three years ago today: Lynyrd Skynyrd - Tuesday's Gone My song pick four years ago today: The Beatles - Help! My song pick five years ago today: Santana - Black Magic Woman My song pick six years ago today: Bon Jovi - Tokyo Road

From: The Gypsies ; Year: 1976; Genre: Progressive Rock/Flamenco Rock I've had the music of Carmen running through my mind consistently throughout the last couple of days; I thought I would take it as a sign that I should pick another one of their songs. This is the opening track off of the band's "swansong" The Gypsies . It starts off for the first couple of minutes in flamenco/classical complete with amazing guitar work and dancing and clapping for percussion; it then it kicks in to rather heavy rock sounds led by John Glascock's thundering bass, but there is a definite flamenco sound added into the mix. Hear Daybreak on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rush - Fountain of Lamenth My song pick two years ago today: Megadeth - Bad Omen My song pick three years ago today: Jethro Tull - Beggar's Farm My song pick four years ago today: The Beatles - Something My song pick five years ago today: Jethro Tull - Singing All Day My song...

From: The World is a Ghetto ; Year: 1972; Genre: Funk/Soul Off and on for over a week now I've had this track running through my mind, and as luck would have it I have it on my mind again on this Friday morning, so I'm making it a Funky Friday pick . You got to love that bass line and groove. Hear The Cisco Kid on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Crosby, Stills & Nash - Wooden Ships My song pick two years ago today: Supertramp - Crime of the Century My song pick three years ago today: Rammstein - Benzin My song pick four years ago today: Chet Atkins & Jerry Reed - Cannonball Rag My song pick five years ago today: The Moody Blues - The Voice My song pick six years ago today: W. A. Mozart - K.620 - The Magic Flute (Queen of the Night Aria)

From: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn ; Year: 1967; Genre: Psychedelic Rock/Space Rock Whilst looking through the Pink Floyd I have already chosen, I was surprised that this song was not listed. I thought for sure I had picked it; perhaps just forgot to put it in my alphabetical lists, which is something that happens from time to time. But, after doing a search on my entire blog I guess that I hadn't. I am thinking that I had this one confused with Interstellar Overdrive in my mind, which is one I have picked . Anyway, this is one of those psychedelic goodies from early 'Floyd and among my favourites from their early years with Syd Barrett. Hear Astronomy Domine on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Richard Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries My song pick two years ago today: Joachim Witt - Du Teufel My song pick three years ago today: Karussell - Nämlich Bin Ich Glücklich My song pick four years ago today: Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams My so...

From: It Is Time For A Love Revolution ; Year: 2008; Genre: Hard Rock I've been watching a lot of nature documentaries lately; during one of them they played this one during a sequence when a south-western desert got a rare deluge. I immediately recognized that it was a Lenny Kravitz song but I'd never heard it before; I have to admit, it's an excellent track, and that blazing guitar is a main draw. Hear I Love the Rain on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Earth, Wind & Fire - September My song pick two years ago today: Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic My song pick three years ago today: The Kinks - Where Have All the Good Times Gone My song pick four years ago today: Wilson Pickett - In the Midnight Hour My song pick five years ago today: Collective Soul - Shine My song pick six years ago today: Skid Row - 18 And Life

From: Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround , Part One; Year: 1970; Genre: Rock As I've said before, The Kinks are my favourite of the British Invasion groups followed closely by The Who. Although since they were banned in the U.S. from touring it was kind of hard for them to "invade." However, Lola Versus Powerman ... happened to mark the end of the ban and reinvigorated their career with the monster hits on the album and the ability to tour in America. From front to back, like many others in their catalogue, this record has incredible music not just commercially, but all around. This has become one of my favourites from the album; I like the mix of folkish rock with their harder hitting delivery and of course Ray Davies excellent lyrics. Hear This Time Tomorrow on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Alestorm - Captain Morgan's Revenge My song pick two years ago today: Heart - How Deep It Goes My song pick three years ago today: Ozzy Osbo...

From: Freak Out! ; Year: 1966; Genre: Psychedelic Rock/Progressive Rock Some very early progressive rock here, to some Freak Out! is considered to be the very first Prog Rock/Concept album. Who Are the Brain Police? is an interesting one; I love the loosely defined 3/4 waltz that lends more of an uneasy insane feeling than that of a dance. On that base Zappa and company build a strangely, but at the same time a well-constructed piece of music complete with zombiesque singing. "What will you do if the people you knew Were the plastic that melted, And the chromium too?" Now, that's some totally awesome lyrics! Hear Who Are the Brain Police? on YouTube. Watch a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Johann Strauss II - Op. 314 - An Der Schönen Blauen Donau , or ( The Blue Danube Waltz ) My song pick two years ago today: The Walter Murphy Band - A Fifth of Beethoven My song pick three years ago today: Béla Fleck & the Fleck...

From: Pawn Heats ; Year: 1971; Genre: Progressive Rock After listening to a bunch of progressive rock last night I thought I would pick one today. I'd have to say this is prog rock in the extreme, with all the meter and tempo changes throughout as well as being filled all the experimental sounds drifting in and out with incredible virtuosity. Hear Lemmings (Including Cog) on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Nightwish - Feel for You My song pick two years ago today: Genesis - Keep It Dark My song pick three years ago today: Rush - Lessons My song pick four years ago today: Badfinger - Come and Get It My song pick five years ago today: Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends My song pick six years ago today: Rush - Far Cry

From: The Stranger ; Year: 1977; Genre: Soft Rock/Pop For most of the morning I've felt like listening to some Billy Joel. I was actually surprised to see that I haven't picked this track at some point in the last six years. Both my Mom and Dad have been big fans of his music, so this is another case where I literally grew up listening to his music. They had some of his albums, but I don't believe The Stranger was among them, instead my Dad recorded the hits off of the radio onto an 8-Track recorder, (which I actually have inherited). It's funny, but I can still hear this song fade into Sausalito Summer Nights by Diesel , which was the next song he recorded. Anyway, this is a rather pretty piece that is basically his voice and piano; recorded with minimal accompaniment. Hear She's Always a Woman on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Richard Wagner - WWV 90 - Liebestod (from " Tristian und Isolde ") My song pick two years ago today:...

From: Houdini ; Year: 1993; Genre: Alternative Metal/Sludge Metal I've been meaning to pick one from the Melvins for over a month now, so I thought I would get it done today. This is one of the band's bigger hits, and it definitely shows it. Hear Honey Bucket on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Bing Crosby - Beautiful Dreamer My song pick two years ago today: Black 47 - Bankers and Gangsters My song pick three years ago today: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) - House of the Rising Sun My song pick four years ago today: The Moody Blues - The Story in Your Eyes My song pick five years ago today: Cheech & Chong feat. Alice Bowie - Earache My Eye My song pick six years ago today: Weather Report - Birdland

From: Poets and Madmen ; Year: 2001; Genre: Progressive Metal Felt like some Savatage this morning and thought I would put on their final album under the name "Savatage:" Poets and Madmen . I like many of the songs on this great heavy metal opera, but this one is a very interesting song. It's mainly driven by Johnny Lee Middleton's bass, but not in the way you think of a song being "bass driven." Throughout the verses of the song he employs an arpeggiated, almost Bachian counterline that just floats across the bottom like mist fog. This really builds the mood for the telling of the internal madness of the main character based on the tragic story of photojournalist Kevin Carter . They really let the music play out just as much of the tale as the lyrics; I really like how the mood swing into the heaviness in the choruses and middle 8/solo like he is striking out in anger at himself. "And he looks and he laughs at the sight And he asks what has...

From: What a Wonderful World (Single); Year: 1967; Genre: Jazz/Pop I woke up this morning to Louis Armstrong's music running through my mind; can't think of better music to be earwormed by. This has to be one of his best-known songs and in my opinion, exemplifies his spirit as someone who saw just how beautiful the world could be and tried to make it as such. When I'm getting stressed or down I often put on some of Pops' music; it doesn't really matter which song; it's all good mood music to me. Hear What a Wonderful World on YouTube. Watch a live video clip on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Chet Atkins - Battle Hymn of the Republic My song pick two years ago today: Bob Dylan - Maggie's Farm My song pick three years ago today: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Life by the Drop My song pick four years ago today: Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) - Down on the Corner My song pick five years ago today: Iron Maiden - 2 ...

From: Bachman & Turner ; Year: 2010; Genre: Hard Rock Every time I hear it, it amazes me just how much this album sounds like it time warped straight out of the 1970s, but in a good way. Literally this one would fit in perfectly with the rest of BTO's popular catalogue, however, because of this it sounds a bit dated even though it's a few years old. That being said I have to say I absolutely love having what is essentially a new BTO album! This song is a bit interesting in places; not only do you have the driving BTO sound, but also a smattering of jazz fusion for good measure. Hear That's What It Is on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Santo & Johnny - Harbour Lights My song pick two years ago today: Stone Temple Pilots - Plush My song pick three years ago today: Eddie Floyd - Knock on Wood My song pick four years ago today: Jethro Tull - Pussy Willow My song pick five years ago today: Bon Jovi featuring Big & Rich - We Got It Going ...

From: Paris ; Year: 1976; Genre: Rock For no reason whatsoever I felt like picking something from Paris this morning. I haven't picked anything off of their first album yet; I've actually picked two from the band thus far off of the second record. It's neat hearing Bob Welch's music just after leaving Fleetwood Mac; the rest of the power trio forms out with Glenn Cornick on bass and Thom Mooney on drums.  Hear Red Rain on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Nocturnal Rites - Destiny Calls My song pick two years ago today: The Who - Going Mobile My song pick three years ago today: Louis Armstrong - The Blues are Brewin' My song pick four years ago today: The Beatles - Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End My song pick five years ago today: Bruce Hornsby & the Range - The Way It Is My song pick six years ago today: The Charlie Daniels Band - In America

From: Seven the Hard Way ; Year: 1985; Genre: Rock This song has been literally running through my mind off and on for about two weeks now; as I usually do I am making it my pick. I grew up with Pat Benatar's music, and I can say even though some of her songs are over 30 years old, most have aged incredibly well; including this track. Her powerful voice that is potent in any range only adds to the empowering aspects of this song; that and the straight-forward thundering guitar, bass, and drums are what makes this song as good as it is. From what I understand this was the theme song to a film called The Legend of Billy Jean ; I've never seen or heard of it before, I might have to check it out for the soundtrack alone. Watch the music video clip on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize My song pick two years ago today: Freddy Taylor and His Swing Men from Harlem - Blue Drag My song pick three years ago today: Hans Zimmer - Fight...

From: Rosenrot : Year: 2005; Genre: Neue Deutsche Härte/Metal I'm finishing my Six Years Later theme week with some Rammstein. This is one of my favourites off of their Rosenrot album, and I was actually surprised that I hadn't picked this song yet. This one falls into the category of their more melodic songs; even when the song gets heavier it retains its simplistic beauty. Hear Feuer und Wasser on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: David Bowie - Let's Dance My song pick two years ago today: Rush - Distant Early Warning My song pick three years ago today: David Bowie - Oh! You Pretty Things My song pick four years ago today: Santana - Every Step of the Way My song pick five years ago today: Megadeth - Washington is Next! My song pick six years ago today: Rammstein - Stripped

From: Risk ; Year: 1999; Genre: Metal While many consider Risk Megadeth's low point, it does have some good points. I actually was one of the people that picked up the disc when it was brand new; even though it is a lesser album, I like knowing that I am one of few to own the initial release. Anyway, was one of the first song that I grew to like from the album; it has more of a heavy "grunge" sound similar to Alice in Chains/Soundgarden to it in my opinion. It's definitely a different sound from one of the founding thrash metal bands, but a part of their history none the less. Hear Wanderlust on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Pearls Before Swine - The Surrealist Waltz My song pick two years ago today: Queen - Spread Your Wings My song pick three years ago today: Rush - Working Man My song pick four years ago today: Elmore James - The Sky is Crying My song pick five years ago today: The Allman Brothers - Jessica My song pick six yea...

From: Eat a Peach ; Year: 1972; Genre: Southern Rock Six years ago today I noticed that I picked The Allman Brothers' song Blue Skies , which is one of my favourites, so, keeping with the theme I am picking another of their songs; for me I never tire of this great band. Anyway, this is an epic 33+ minute jam that was oddly enough roughly based on the Donovan song There is a Mountain , which can be heard here on YouTube . There is a lot of amazing freestyle soloing throughout that is incredible; especially Duane Allman's. Probably some would call this "musical masturbation," however if they are musicians it's just their own jealousy and ineptitude as musicians showing through. And of course if they are not musicians, they just have crappy taste in music. Hear a full recording of Mountain Jam on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Steve Vai - I Know You're Here My song pick two years ago today: Earthless - Godspeed My song pick three years ago...

From: Smash ; Year: 1994; Genre: Hard Rock I'm having a pretty busy day today, so don't mind if I'm a little bit brief today. Here's a real good one from The Offspring, which is a band I picked a song from six years ago today. You gotta love that simple, but effective bass line that was brought up in the mix; right where it belongs. :) Hear Gotta Get Away on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Band of Horses - Knock, Knock My song pick two years ago today: Three Dog Night - Heaven is in Your Mind My song pick three years ago today: Queensrÿche - One & Only My song pick four years ago today: The Spiders - Back   My song pick five years ago today: Nena - Mach Die Augen Auf   My song pick six years ago today: The Offspring - Feelings

From: ? ; Year: 1984; Genre: Neue Deutsche Welle/Pop Rock Again I am posting a song from a band from my first week, six years ago. Here's one from Nena, which is dripping with that '80s new wave/pop sound. Watch the music video clip on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Rush - New World Man My song pick two years ago today: Ten Years After - One of These Days My song pick three years ago today: Fairport Convention - Polly on the Shore My song pick four years ago today: The Guess Who - No Time   My song pick five years ago today: Jerry Reed - Lord, Mr. Ford   My song pick six years ago today: Nena - Irgendwie, Irgendwo, Irgendwann

From: The Buoys ; Year: 1971; Genre: Rock I decided on doing another theme like I did five years ago ; basically I am picking songs from the same bands I did my first seven days. It seems that this "one hit wonder" band; The Buoys, actually had a few songs of note; maybe not on the same level as Timothy , but good all the same. I really like their use of the harpsichord; and the over Baroque feel of this track. Hear Castles on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Asia - After the War My song pick two years ago today: Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes My song pick three years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Something Special My song pick four years ago today: Johann Sebastian Bach - BWV 1048 - Brandenburg Concerto No.3 in G-Major   My song pick five years ago today: The Buoys - Give Up Your Guns   My song pick six years ago today: The Buoys - Timothy

BWV. 996 ; Year: 1707~1717; Genre: Baroque Period; classical Today marks the sixth year anniversary of my blog; as Max would probably say: my blog is old enough to attend first grade. Anyway, since I'm fresh out of Brandenburg Concertos to pick I had to choose something else from J.S. Bach; I figured this pretty and light piece written for the lute would be a change of pace. I might go on with picking a suite each anniversary, or I might do something else; there is a lot of music to choose from. I believe the maestro wrote around 1200 pieces of music and their still discovering more and more every day. He was an amazing man, musician, and composer; definitely a gift to the World from God Himself. Hear 1. Praeludio: Passaggio - Presto , 2. Allemande , and 3. Courante on YouTube. Hear 4. Sarabande , 5. Bourrée , and 6. Gigue on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Johann Sebastian Bach - BWV. 1051 - Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-Flat My song pick two years...